March 28, 2009

Reporters Notebooks

Jeff McLane, Philadelphia Inquirer: Joe Paterno continues to recover from hip replacement surgery but expects to be coaching from the sideline in the fall. On Florida State's Bobby Bowden, who may lose 14 wins over academic fraud penalties, he said: "Nobody wants to win by default or anything like that." The 82-year-old Paterno has 383 career wins to the 79-year-old Bowden's 382.

Iliana Limón, Orlando Sentinel: A review of Central Florida's training program, ordered by university president John Hitt after the death of receiver Ereck Plancher last spring and the collapse of running back Brandon Davis in December, determined conditions were "rigorous but within the range normal to other Division I football programs."

Wendy Hundley, Dallas Morning News: Former North Texas linebacker/defensive back Germaine Dawson, who completed his eligibility last season, was found dead in a white SUV near an auto repair business in Lewisville, Texas. He suffered a single gunshot wound to the head.

Bobbi Roquemore, Dallas Morning News: Three of the five players who appealed decisions by Southern Methodist to release them from their scholarships have won their appeals. Defensive end Jordan Johnson, linebacker Taylor Bon and defensive end Anthony Sowe will have their athletics aid continued for 2009-10. Running back Ben Goldthorpe and linebacker Alex Odiari did not win their appeals.Brian Dohn, Los Angeles Daily News: Jerry Rice Jr., the son of the most decorated receiver in NFL history, said he will walk-on this fall at UCLA.

Ferd Lewis, Honolulu Advertiser: The Western Athletic Conference has yet to release its schedule for teams this fall. One of the hangups is Hawaii's game at San Jose State, which ESPN is considering moving to a Friday night.

Dugan Arnett, Lawrence Journal-World: Kansas receiver Dezmon Briscoe, who caught 15 touchdown passes last season, has been suspended from the team indefinitely after violating unspecified team rules.Jay Drew, Salt Lake Tribune: Brigham Young receiver Spencer Hafoka had to withdraw from school for the winter semester because of influenza.